The Bottom Line
AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic provides free antivirus protection for Windows XP/2000/NT/ME/98. The svelte scanner installed only 34MB and 3 running processes to our Windows XP Pentium 4 test system, making it an excellent option for those with older PCs or limited system resources.
Pros
- Small footprint ideal for even older PCs
- Comprehensive reporting options
- Scans can be run in Safe Mode
Cons
- Sluggish connections to update server
Description
- AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic is a free antivirus scanner.
- Support options are limited, but this is increasingly the case with even paid-for scanners.
- Sports expected features, including automatic updates, scheduled scanning, and various scan tasks.
Guide Review - AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic
Sporting a traditional interface that's easy to navigate, AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic provides pre-configured scan tasks for scanning local drives, local hard disks, removal drives, the Windows System and My Documents folders, as well as manual scanning options for scanning items listed under My Computer. Right-click scans can be performed on individual files and folders in Explorer or on the desktop. Additionally, files can be dragged and dropped into the AntiVir console for quick scanning.
AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic does not provide adware/spyware removal (this feature is available in paid versions of the product). As with other free antivirus scanners, support options are limited to online help forums and knowledgebases.
AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic can be used in Safe Mode, a definite plus for removing stubborn infectors or cleaning a system that might otherwise be unable to boot into Windows.
The comprehensive reporting options are ideal for advanced users who want to drill down into the scan results. However, more novice users might be overwhelmed. In the latter case, ignoring the report and relying on the results reflected in the interface might be best.
